What’s a Movement Assessment—and Why Every Active Adult Should Get One

You get your teeth cleaned twice a year. You go in for your annual physical. But when was the last time you checked how your body moves?

If you're an active adult in Nashville who lifts weights, runs, does yoga, cycles, or just wants to stay mobile and pain-free—you need to hear this: movement matters. And more importantly, how well you move could be the reason you're thriving… or constantly chasing injuries.

Enter the movement assessment—a powerful tool that gives you the full picture of your body’s mobility, strength, and control. At Nashville Physical Therapy & Performance, we use movement assessments to uncover inefficiencies, prevent injury, and optimize performance—before pain ever starts.

Here’s what you need to know about movement assessments and why getting one might be the smartest health decision you make this year.

What Is a Movement Assessment?

A movement assessment is a comprehensive, one-on-one evaluation performed by a licensed physical therapist to analyze how you move—not just how you feel. It’s not a quick screen or a cookie-cutter checklist.

At Nashville PT, we customize your assessment based on your activities, goals, and current concerns. We look at:

• Posture and alignment

• Joint mobility and flexibility

• Muscle strength and stability

• Balance and coordination

• Motor control during functional movements (like squats, lunges, jumping, or running)
  

We combine this with a full physical exam, movement screens (like the Functional Movement Screen or other evidence-based tools), and, if you’re a runner, even video gait analysis—all to create a detailed understanding of your body’s movement patterns.

Why Is Movement So Important?

Your body is like a machine—except every system is connected. When one area isn’t working right, others have to compensate. This is how small issues turn into bigger problems like:

• Shoulder impingement

• Knee pain while running

• Chronic low back tension

• Plantar fasciitis

• Hip tightness that just won’t quit
  

And the kicker? You may not feel pain until the damage is already done. That’s why a proactive movement assessment can help you catch the problem before it catches you.

Who Should Get a Movement Assessment?

You don’t have to be injured or in pain to benefit. In fact, that’s the point—we want to catch the red flags early. You should consider a movement assessment if:

• You’re starting a new workout routine

• You’re increasing your mileage or intensity (runners and lifters, this is you!)

• You’ve had past injuries that never fully resolved

• You feel like your body “just moves differently” on one side

• You’ve plateaued in the gym or keep hitting the same aches and pains
  

A movement assessment can help identify areas of weakness or tightness that are holding you back—and help you fix them before they become full-blown injuries.

What Happens After the Assessment?

At Nashville PT, we don’t just point out what’s wrong and send you on your way.

You’ll get:

✅ A detailed explanation of your results (in plain English, not just medical jargon)

✅ A customized exercise and mobility plan tailored to your body and your goals

✅ Ongoing one-on-one support from your PT as you implement your plan

✅ Advice on training modifications, equipment tweaks (yes, we look at shoes!), and more

This isn’t a generic printout—it’s a targeted, high-level plan to help you move better and stay active.

Why Choose Nashville PT’s One-on-One Model?

Because you’re not a number here.

Our cash-based, one-on-one model allows us to spend a full 60 minutes with you—every time. That’s how we’re able to provide a thorough movement assessment without the rushed feel of traditional clinics. No waiting rooms, no techs bouncing between patients, and no insurance companies telling us what we can or can’t do.

You get:

• Full attention from your physical therapist

• A plan that evolves with you

• Flexible scheduling and no surprise bills
  

Most importantly, you get results that keep you active, not sidelined.

Your Body Deserves the Same Attention You Give Your Training

Think of a movement assessment as your performance check-up. Just like your car gets regular tune-ups to avoid breakdowns, your body needs regular check-ins to prevent wear and tear.

Don’t wait until you’re in pain to give your body the attention it deserves.

Ready to Move Better, Train Smarter, and Stay Pain-Free?

Book a movement assessment at Nashville Physical Therapy & Performance today. Whether you’re a runner, lifter, cyclist, CrossFitter, or just someone who wants to feel great while staying active—we’ll help you identify your body’s blind spots and build a plan that works for you.

References:

1. Cook, G., Burton, L., & Hoogenboom, B. (2006). Pre-participation screening: The use of fundamental movements as an assessment of function - Part 1. North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 1(2), 62–72.

2. Kiesel, K., Plisky, P., & Voight, M. (2007). Can serious injury in professional football be predicted by a preseason functional movement screen? North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 2(3), 147–158.

3. Bonazza, N. A., et al. (2017). Reliability, validity, and injury predictive value of the Functional Movement Screen: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 45(3), 725–732. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546516641937